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Finally got around to installing my GrimmSpeed Master Cylinder Brace. I can hardly believe I bought this thing about 4 months ago. I know, I know, what kind of petrol head waits 4 months to install a car part. Well, the first thing is that the weather has been mostly garbage and I just couldn't get the get up and go to start installing car parts in miserable weather. Yes, I know I have a garage, but, there is very little room at the nose and/or side of my car to allow space for tools and such. Secondly, the days that were good weather, I have been busy (not to mention putting in 53-60 hour work weeks).
Anyhow, it is finally done. I downloaded the .pdf file and watched the YouTube video a few times and had at it.
When the video says it is a lot easier to install if you take off your driver's side triangulation bar, they aren't kidding. Of course I had the added challenge of having also already installed the GrimmSpeed Strut Tower Brace (I didn't want to remove it because it was perfectly torqued (and it also rests on top of the triangulation bar)), so, obviously I like to challenge myself - either that, or I must be masochistic. It is further complicated by the fact that the video and the instructions don't really tell you that the automatic is a lot harder to install on than the manual. There are more brackets in use and holes already used. The fuel lines bracket is also not captured in the video (albeit is talked about), but, essentially, one has to remove the bracket and place over top of the bracket and then install the bolt - it does not work between the bracket and the strut tower. There is also another wire harness that the automatic has that is also clipped right where the brace needs to go. I eventually realized that if I take off the one bracket that holds the wire harness in one spot and unclip a clip in another spot, the job then gets a little easier. In the end this wire harness is still clipped in the one spot, but, I had to completely leave off one of the brackets and rest the wire harness on top of the Master Cylinder Brace. It doesn't appear to move and the wire harness has a ribbed plastic sheath over top of it.
About 30-40 mins later for a job that should have taken 10, I was able to go out for a spin. The brake pedal feel is noticeably firmer (even under light braking, but, especially under harder braking). I am definitely pleased with the product (although instructions for the automatic would have helped considerably) and would definitely recommend it to anyone.
I bought the brace off FT-86 SpeedFactory when they had a sale on, otherwise, I would have bought directly from GrimmSpeed themselves since they are a top notch company. The next GrimmSpeed product on the slate will be either the hydraulic hood struts or (depending on when it is released) the GrimmSpeed air intake that is currently under development.
Of course, there are so many wants when it comes to car parts and not all of them are particularly cheap, but, I am happy to plug away at the incremental pace that I have so far. And since I am not expecting any large sums of money to drop into my lap, tires/rims, exhaust, retrofit HID's, fog lights, etc. will have to wait. Until then......
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